The authorities have been urged to investigate Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s initial defense of the ‘cow-head’ protestors before taking action against Malaysiakini for uploading two videos relating to the incident.

“Before any action is contemplated against Malaysiakini , shouldn’t action been taken against Hishammuddin first?” asked DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang in a statement today.

lim kit siang on conversion case 210409 02 Lim was referring to the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) directive to Malaysiakini to retract two video clips pertaining to the controversial cow-head protest on Aug 28.

The videos cited were the ' Temple demo: Residents march with cow's head ' and ' Hisham: Don't blame cow-head protesters '.

In a notice to Malaysiakini yesterday, MCMC said the contents of the two videos were “provocative” and “offensive with the intent to annoy any person especially Indians”.

Citing Section 211/233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998, offenders are liable to a fine up to RM50,000 or a jail sentence upon conviction.

‘Utter insensitivity’

In view of this, Lim asked if the authorities would take action against Hishammuddin, who was the originator of the alleged offending remarks.

“Would Hishammuddin be arrested and prosecuted for his utter insensitivity in defending and justifying the cow-head demonstration and sacrilege before any other action is contemplated against the media for reporting (his) press conference?

“Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail has ordered the police to investigate further into the cow-head sacrilege. Will the police extend such an investigation to include Hishammuddin’s offensive and insensitive press conference?” asked Lim.

Lim also drew parallels between MCMC”s directive on Malaysiakini and the Home Ministry’s decision to arrest a journalist who quoted Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail’s infamous ‘Chinese squatters’ remark.

Journalist Tan Hoon Cheng was detained under the Internal Security Act for about 24 hours. The incident caused an uproar because Ahmad, the source of the controversy, went unpunished.